Let me tell you about this Swedish Apple Pie (Easy Crustless Apple Pie) Recipe that I absolutely adore. It’s one of those comfort desserts that feels cozy and classic but without the fuss of rolling out a crust. What makes it extra special is the tender apples baked beneath a sweet, spiced batter that comes out golden and bubbling every single time. If you’re like me and want a no-fail apple dessert that’s both simple and full of warmth, you’re going to love this.
When I first tried this recipe, I was thrilled by how straightforward it was — perfect for a weeknight treat or an easy crowd-pleaser for gatherings. The crustless nature means less mess and prep, so you get straight to enjoying that perfect apple and spice combo. This Swedish Apple Pie (Easy Crustless Apple Pie) Recipe is ideal whether you have a mix of apples on hand or stick to tart Granny Smiths for a little zing. Trust me, it’s a winner every time!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No Crust Hassle: Skip rolling dough and still enjoy an amazing apple pie flavor and texture.
- Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry staples you most likely already have on hand.
- Perfect Balance of Flavors: The cinnamon and cardamom add a warm spice twist that feels classic yet unique.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Family and guests will always ask for seconds, making it great for any occasion.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Swedish Apple Pie (Easy Crustless Apple Pie) Recipe lies in its simplicity and harmony of ingredients. You’ll want fresh tart apples and a mix of cinnamon and cardamom for that authentic warm-spiced flavor that really shines through.
- Apples: Tart varieties like Granny Smith work best for balance, but any apple you enjoy will do.
- Sugar: Both granulated and brown sugar add sweetness and depth – brown sugar especially gives a caramel-like taste.
- Lemon juice: Keeps the apples bright and prevents browning before baking.
- Cinnamon and cardamom: These spices bring authentic Swedish warmth and complement the apples beautifully.
- Flour: Provides structure to the batter topping.
- Baking powder and salt: Helps the batter rise and enhances overall flavor.
- Egg and vanilla extract: Bind everything and add richness with a fragrant note.
- Unsalted butter: Melted for moistness and a tender crumb topping.
- Turbinado sugar: Sprinkled on top for a delightful crunch and sparkly finish.
Variations
I love how versatile this Swedish Apple Pie (Easy Crustless Apple Pie) Recipe can be. Over time, I’ve tried adding a few personal twists that you might want to experiment with too!
- Use different fruit: I once swapped in pears with the apples, and it added a lovely mellow sweetness—give it a try if you want something different.
- Spice it up: Adding ground nutmeg or ginger can give another cozy layer of flavor that my family loved during holiday dinners.
- Make it gluten-free: Switching the flour to a gluten-free blend works beautifully, just be sure your blend includes a binder like xanthan gum for structure.
- Boost texture: For extra crunch, sprinkle chopped nuts (like walnuts or pecans) on top before baking.
How to Make Swedish Apple Pie (Easy Crustless Apple Pie) Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Apples and Pie Plate
Start by peeling, coring, and slicing your apples into about ½-inch thick slices. Toss them in a big bowl with granulated sugar, freshly squeezed lemon juice, a good sprinkle of cinnamon, cardamom, and just a pinch of salt. This toss ensures that each apple slice is perfectly coated with sweet and spice, and the lemon juice keeps them from turning brown. Butter a 9-inch deep dish pie plate well—this helps the pie release easily later—and spread the apple mixture evenly inside. The aroma at this point already feels so inviting.
Step 2: Make the Batter Topping
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder. In a separate large bowl, combine melted butter, packed brown sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. Whisk these wet ingredients thoroughly until smooth and creamy, then gently fold the dry flour mixture in using a rubber spatula. You want a nicely blended batter but be careful not to overmix—it should be thick but spreadable.
Step 3: Assemble and Bake
Spread the batter evenly over the apples in the pie plate with an offset spatula or the back of a spoon. Sprinkle a generous amount of turbinado sugar on top for a bit of sparkle and crunch after baking. Pop the pie in the oven preheated to 350°F and bake for about 50 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the top is golden brown and the apples around the edges are bubbly. Resist the temptation to cut into it right away; letting it cool is key to getting clean, satisfying slices.
Pro Tips for Making Swedish Apple Pie (Easy Crustless Apple Pie) Recipe
- Choosing Apples: I’ve found that mixing tart and sweet apples gives the perfect balance of flavor and texture—try combining Granny Smith with Fuji or Honeycrisp for a delightful bite.
- Don’t Skip Cooling: One thing I learned the hard way is that slicing too soon after baking leads to a runny pie, so trust me on this one and let it cool completely.
- Butter Your Pan Generously: I always butter my pie plate well so the pie doesn’t stick and slices lift out easily—makes serving so much nicer!
- Spice it Right: Cardamom is subtle but essential here. Don’t skip it, or your pie will miss that authentic Swedish flavor that keeps everyone coming back.
How to Serve Swedish Apple Pie (Easy Crustless Apple Pie) Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping this pie with a dollop of lightly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for that luscious, cooling contrast to the warm spices. A drizzle of homemade vanilla sauce can take it to another level, which is a traditional way we enjoy it in our house.
Side Dishes
For a cozy dessert pairing, try serving it alongside a hot cup of coffee or spiced chai. Sometimes we enjoy it with a simple autumn salad with nuts and dried cranberries to balance the richness with fresh textures.
Creative Ways to Present
For special celebrations, I like to serve this pie in individual ramekins — the crustless batter makes it easy to portion and it feels a bit fancy without extra work. You can also sprinkle extra cinnamon sugar on top after baking for a sparkly touch that makes it feel festive.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once completely cooled, I wrap leftovers tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container and keep them in the fridge. It stays great for about 3-4 days, and the flavors actually deepen, making leftovers quite delightful.
Freezing
This crustless pie freezes well, which I love for planning ahead. Cool it completely, then freeze individual slices wrapped in foil and placed in a freezer bag. When I’m ready, I thaw them overnight in the fridge.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop slices into a preheated oven at 325°F for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through, which refreshes the crustless batter topping without drying it out. Microwaving works in a pinch but the oven brings back that lovely texture best.
FAQs
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Can I use different kinds of apples in this Swedish Apple Pie (Easy Crustless Apple Pie) Recipe?
Absolutely! While Granny Smith apples are a favorite for their tartness and firmness, you can mix sweeter apples like Fuji or Honeycrisp to add complexity. Just make sure the apples are firm enough to hold their shape during baking to avoid a mushy pie.
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Why is this pie called crustless?
This Swedish Apple Pie replaces the traditional flaky crust with a spiced, flour-based batter topping that bakes up soft and golden over the tender apples. It’s much easier to make but still delivers all the cozy apple pie flavors you love.
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Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that contains a binder like xanthan gum. Just be mindful that baking times might shift slightly, so keep an eye on the top for a golden finish.
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How do I get clean slices when serving?
Cooling the pie completely before slicing is key. The filling needs time to set up so it doesn’t run. I usually let it sit at room temperature for at least an hour or chill it in the fridge if I want the slices to be firmer.
Final Thoughts
This Swedish Apple Pie (Easy Crustless Apple Pie) Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen for its simplicity and the warm, comforting memories it brings. I love sharing it with friends because it’s approachable and so reliably delicious. If you try this recipe, I’m confident you’ll fall for its ease and crave this cozy, spiced apple goodness as much as I do. Give it a go—I promise it won’t disappoint!
Print
Swedish Apple Pie (Easy Crustless Apple Pie) Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Swedish
Description
A delicious and easy-to-make Swedish Apple Pie that features tender, cinnamon-spiced apples topped with a sweet, cakey batter. This crustless apple pie is a cozy dessert perfect for chilly evenings, combining the natural tartness of apples with warm spices and a subtle cardamom twist.
Ingredients
Apples
- 2 pounds apples, peeled, cored, and cut into ½ inch thick slices
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
- Pinch of salt
Batter
- 1 cup flour
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled + more for greasing the pie plate
- Turbinado sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare the Pie Plate: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9-inch deep dish pie plate generously with butter to prevent sticking and set it aside for later use.
- Toss the Apples: In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples with the sugar, freshly squeezed lemon juice, ground cinnamon, ground cardamom, and a pinch of salt. Mix well to evenly coat the apple slices with the spices and sugar. Then transfer this mixture into the prepared pie plate, spreading the apples out evenly.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder to ensure they are well combined and aerated. Set this mixture aside for later use in the batter.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted and cooled unsalted butter, light brown sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and homogenous, creating the wet base for the batter.
- Make the Batter: Gently fold the dry flour mixture into the wet butter mixture using a rubber spatula. Mix just until combined to create a thick batter without overmixing.
- Assemble the Pie: Spread the prepared batter evenly over the apple slices in the pie plate, covering the apples completely. Sprinkle the top with turbinado sugar to add a crunchy, caramelized texture upon baking.
- Bake: Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for about 50 minutes, or until the top turns a beautiful golden brown and the apples are visibly bubbling around the edges.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool thoroughly before slicing. Cooling helps the filling to set, ensuring clean slices. Serve as is, or with a side of vanilla sauce for a traditional Swedish touch.
Notes
- Granny Smith apples are preferred for their tartness, but any apple variety you have on hand will work well in this pie.
- It is important to cool the pie completely before slicing to ensure the filling sets properly and slices cleanly.
- Serve with a simple vanilla sauce for an authentic and delicious accompaniment to this comforting dessert.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of pie)
- Calories: 221
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 126mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.4g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 34mg
